Sunday 6 May 2018 17:39, UK
Pep Guardiola has warned the Premier League that Manchester City are relishing the challenge of winning back-to-back Premier League titles.
Guardiola finally got his hands on the Premier League trophy after Sunday's goalless draw with Huddersfield at the Etihad Stadium.
Having won three consecutive league titles during his spells at Barcelona and Bayern Munich, the City boss is aware of how difficult defending the title will be.
But, speaking to Sky Sports during the title celebrations, Guardiola insists his squad will be prepared.
"Here is more difficult [defending the title], especially winning at Manchester City, it is always more difficult," he said.
"But the most important thing is to prepare well and then we will see where our level is.
Asked if he expects more competition next season, he added: "Definitely.
"We saw what happened this season. The team that won the league didn't qualify for the Champions League.
"So to win back-to-back titles will be tough but we expect that challenge.
"Today was proof that we can do better. Today was warm, that was so tough, there were 11 players trying to stay in the Premier League.
"We maintained things against Swansea but this week there were too many things around the team that meant we lost focus but that's normal."
City's coronation as record-breaking Premier League champions has vindicated Guardiola's philosophy, which came under attack during an inconsistent first season in England.
Asked if he ever doubted whether his methods would work, Guardiola said: "The Premier League is special, England is so tough. We did it.
"You never know whether you're going to win, nobody knows. But I didn't have doubts about what we had to try to do, because defeat is part of the competition.
"You win, you lose, but you always have to try to do what you believe. At the start of the season I knew we were going to try but I didn't know if we were going to win."
